Chapter 170: The New Beginning
When the shareholders heard Julian’s speech, they were left in awe. None of them had imagined that the company’s founder had such a mighty background. But it wasn’t their fault.
From the beginning, Esmeralda had worked hard to separate her business from her political family. She had fled to Manchester to start her own venture, defying her family, who strongly opposed her ambition. In the early days, she had to raise funds from others, which was why... even as founder, she only held 35% of the shares.
She had never told anyone about her background, fearing that if her father discovered her activities, he would interfere with her dream. Even on her deathbed, she didn’t call her father or her family. She requested her closest friends to keep her situation secret... even from her own daughter.
Elliot Grant and the other founding shareholders honoured that request for many years. But now, it was Eleanor who had persuaded them to involve the Langford family in EverBuild’s business. Under her careful planning, today’s meeting had been arranged to take over the company and lead it down a new path.
William Whitmore, overwhelmed by the spectacle, stood silently to one side. The revelation of Esmeralda’s background had shaken him to the core. He had served as Esmeralda’s secretary before her death for a long time, but she had never mentioned any family. He had always assumed she had no family left. That belief was the foundation of his scheme to take over the company all those years ago.
Now, for the first time in years, he feared for his life.
Julian continued, "Some of us were aware of her background, and we also knew that this small company in Manchester would hardly interest her powerful family. After our founder’s untimely passing, they never claimed a penny of profit from EverBuild. But now, with the company on the brink of bankruptcy, we had no choice but to seek their support.
"A few days ago, our co-founders contacted the founder’s daughter to request her help. As you all know, she still holds 35% of the company’s shares under her name. Though she has never taken any profits, her ownership was never in question."
He paused and glanced respectfully at Eleanor before continuing.
"Upon hearing about our situation, and to save her mother’s creation, Lady Eleanor Langford decided to step in. She has now transferred all the shares under her name to the Langford Estate. Thus, the mighty Langford family has become the owner of EverBuild... and we have the honour of His Lordship’s presence today."
He turned to the assembly. "Now, I humbly request Lady Eleanor Langford to share her instructions with us."
There was a microphone in front of Eleanor on the table. She adjusted it slightly and began to speak: